2-D calculations of helical explosive magnetic generator using vector potential

Summary form only given, as follows. Describes the results of two-dimensional calculations of the helical explosive magnetic generators (HEMG). Helical EMG is an inductive generator of magnetic energy (up to 30 MJ). The HEMG operation principle is based on magnetic field compression in a helical coil by means of an expanding metal armature placed coaxially into the coil center. As the result of circuit compression, its inductance drops, while its magnetic energy and current rise. The calculations were made to get the magnetic fields pattern evolution in time inside and outside the helical coil during the expansion of the HEMG central armature. The use of the vector potential permits the number of calculated components of magnetic field to be reduced and, as a result of it, to use a personal computer for calculations. Magnetic fields, voltages, forces affecting the coil conductor and mechanic deformations caused by these forces are calculated. The results of the calculation are presented as a film, which permits the observation in a frame-by-frame mode of the distribution of parameters along the coil and to correlate the peculiarities of load current derivative with the expanding armature position. Moving the other way in time, i.e. from the load, the calculation technique permits the synthesis of the parameters of the coil being designed on the basis of the given limitations.